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SYNCARPIA. MELALEUCA. 
made to acclimatize the species in this country. We have imported large nunmei s 
of the poles and used them for our wharves, but have made no attempt to produce 
a future supply for ourselves. Well grown specimens of S. laurifolia are stately 
and beautiful, and in many localities would form a much valued addition to the 
flora of our parks and arboreta. The Forest Service of New South Wales could 
supply seed from best trees in cool parts of the natural habitat. In this way, at 
little cost, the species might be tested for cultivation on a larger scale. 
S. laurifolia is one of the many Australian trees that have been unfortunate 
in the names bestowed upon them by timber-getters. It is called Turpentine- 
tree” and the timber for brevity “turpentine”. The tree exudes an oleo-resin 
which is quite different from the kino of the eucalypts; but it is not a turpentine 
yielder. The botanical name is appropriate and descriptive, and should 
everywhere be preferred. 
MELALEUCA LEUCADENDRON Linnaeus. 
NATURAL HABITAT, DESCRIPTION, AND USES. 
Maiden in Forest Flora, Vol. i. at p. 96, states the habitat of this plant as 
follows: — “From the Shoalhaven River, New South Wales (I do not know the 
furthest southern locality), north right along the coast, in moist sandy localities, 
to Northern Queensland and the Northern Territory. Found also in Western 
Australia (its precise range I do not know), in New Caledonia, the whole 
Malayan Archipelago, and Burmah”. The genus as a whole extends still farther; 
and in the great range here given for M. leucadendron there are several varieties, 
in respect to which the tendency appears to be towards giving them the rank of 
distinct species. 
M. leucadendron, as understood by Maiden, attains its Australian optimum 
in sheltered bays and along the banks of saltwater creeks where the climate is sub¬ 
tropical to tropical. It there becomes a tree 40ft. to 50ft. high and up to 1ft. 6in. 
or 2ft. in diameter. In the mass and as single specimens the trees are often very 
beautiful. The dead bark is sub-fibrous and flaky and persists far up the tree. 
Leaves stalked, up to 3in. long by Min. wide, with three to five very distinct 
longitudinal veins. Flowers separate but usually crowded near together along 
slender young twigs. Anthers with longitudinal and nearly parallel openings. 
Ripe seed-cups nearly Min. in diameter, sessile, and closely packed along the stalk 
of the twig. Mature wood cross-grained, hard, very lasting in wet ground, useful 
in boatbuilding. The “Cajeput oil” of commerce is derived from a species of 
Melaleuca. The essential oil of M. leucadendron is similar to but not identical with 
“Cajeput”. 
CULTIVATION IN NEW ZEALAND. 
Our intricate northern waterways present many sheltered shore-lines where 
M. leucadendron should find congenial conditions. Associated there with our 
native pohutukawa it would beautify the landscape and furnish valuable wood for 
local fences, as well as for use in the yards of boat-builders. 
